"Are they going everywhere with us?"

"Come on Ang," pleaded Nick.

Kevin sternly said, "Yes they are."

"Well can't they ride with the band? There's no more room in here."

"Sure there is. Gracie Pooh come sit on my lap," requested AJ.

Grace looked at Kassidy who nodded. Grace climbed into AJ's lap.

"What about her," asked Angie pointing at Kassidy.

"First off she has a name and it's Kassidy," said Kevin evenly. "Second I'm sure Nick would love to have his girlfriend sit in his lap, which makes room for Kassidy."

Angie moved to Nick's lap. Kassidy climbed in and they were off. Unfortunately, Kassidy was forced to sit next to Nick and Angie. Angie was making a big display of being the loving girlfriend. She was whispering in Nick's ear and kissing him. Kassidy was visibly tense. Grace kept watching her. Kevin was watching the whole situation too. He quietly leaned forward and placed a hand on Kassidy's shoulder. She jumped slightly. Brian and Leighanne attempted to engage everyone in conversation until they got to the arena. Once they were out of the van everyone breathed.

Kassidy and Grace hung out with the band while the guys spent the morning doing interviews. By 10am, Denise and Kelly arrived with Paula and Pollyanna Dorough in tow. Kevin's fiancée, Kristen arrived at noon.

Kassidy pulled Kevin aside before the fan conference.

"Kevin I need to apologize to everyone."

"What for," asked a puzzled Kevin.

"For causing this tension. I am merely a guest here and I've not been gracious."

"Why do you think you haven't?"

"I have not made any attempts to conceal the fact that Angie bugs the ever lovin' snot out of me."

Kevin laughed and said, "That is a unique way of putting it. Seriously Kassidy, it's OK. She bugs the ever lovin' snot out of all of us. We've just gotten use to her."

"Still I have been rude to everyone else by letting my irritation get the better of me. I'm not even quite sure why she bothers me so much," stated Kassidy.

"Don't worry about it. Come on, its fan conference time."

After the conference, the guys did a final sound check, talked to MTV, then got ready for the show. Grace and Kassidy were included in their pre-show ritual. Afterwards they joined all the family and friends in the Designated section. The guys were extremely hyper, but did a great job.

After the show, everyone headed back to the hotel. They were doing two nights in Fort Lauderdale before heading to Charlotte, NC. Howie and AJ were going clubbing and invited Kassidy. She thanked them, but declined. She was not leaving Grace alone.

"Kassidy you could have gone out with Howie and AJ."

"Nah. Clubs aren't a big deal for me. Remember I'm old. I've done the club scene."

"How could I forget," laughed Grace. "You're ancient."

"Careful," cautioned Kassidy with a smile.

"I'm getting online and check in," stated Grace.

"OK. I've got work, but I will check my email when you're done."

Grace was getting her computer out when there was a knock at the door. Kassidy answered to find Marcus standing there.

"Hey Marcus," said Kassidy with a smile. "I thought you were clubbing."

"I am," replied Marcus. "But I was sent to collect you and Grace."

"Collect us for what?"

"Denise wants to talk to you guys."

"Oh! Grace you connected yet?"

"Nope."

They followed Marcus to Denise and Kelly's room. As they entered they found Paula and Pollyanna Dorough with them. Denise wanted to know how things were going. Kassidy and Grace enjoyed talking with Denise and Kelly again, as well as getting to know Paula and Polly.

At 2am all the ladies headed to bed. As Kassidy and Grace passed Nick's room they heard yelling. Kassidy stopped outside the room. She started to knock when she heard Nick yelp in pain. Grace pulled her away from the room.

Entering their room, Grace said, "I know you wanted to help, but Kassidy you interrupting would only make things worse."

"I can't believe he puts up with her."

"I know, but until he makes a decision to stand up for himself, no one can help."

"Oh wise one, you are again correct. Ready to turn in?"

"Yeah."

Kassidy lay awake for most of the night. Her stomach was in knots. She didn't like knowing someone -was being mistreated. She had learned one bit of good news. Angie was only with them two more days. She was flying from Charlotte to Germany to promote her first album. Kassidy had also learned that Nick was instrumental in getting her the record deal. Also Denise said Nick's parents were not too pleased that Nick was asserting his independence. He was taking a more hands on approach to his career and finances. They wanted him to stay little Nicky forever. Kassidy mulled all this over and finally fell asleep around 5am.

Luckily they didn't have an early wake up call. As usual, Grace went for her run with Dennis. Kassidy woke up to find her on the computer.

"Morning. What time is it?"

"Hey sleepy," greeted Grace as she looked at her watch. "It's 11:00."

"Wow. Sorry I slept so late. Have you eaten yet?"

"I grabbed a muffin with Dennis after our run, but I'm getting hungry."

"Let me get a quick shower. We can go out for some lunch."

"Cool."

Kassidy and Grace slipped out of the hotel and found a McDonald's. They came back to pack up everything. The whole entourage was loading onto the buses after the show and heading to Charlotte. Grace and Kassidy were to have everything downstairs and loaded by 4pm. They were riding with The band, which suited them fine. The less time Kassidy was around Angie the better for everyone.

The show had a few glitches, which is typical for the second show of a tour. All in all, everyone was pleased. They arrived in Charlotte at 5:30am. James handed out the room keys and everyone went straight to their rooms.

A knock at the door woke Kassidy and Grace. It was Dennis. Grace had overslept for their daily run. She grabbed some clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. Dennis came in and bugged Kassidy until she got up. Grace and Dennis left.

Kassidy got dressed and went in search of the exercise room. She found Nick, his bodyguard Billy, Angie, and Kevin already working out. Kevin and Billy greeted her. Nick started to say hi, but didn't when Angie poked him in the ribs. Kassidy just ignored it. She stretched before starting on the leg press machine. As she moved to the bench press, she saw Angie making fun of her as she walk over to the leg press. Kassidy bit her lip to keep from laughing when Angie had a hard time pressing the weight Kassidy had done with ease. Kevin winked at Kassidy as Angie walked back over to Billy and Nick. One thought kept going through Kassidy's mind, after today that brat is gone. Kassidy found a note from Grace when she returned to the room. She had gone to breakfast with AJ.

"Gracie Pooh are we living up to your expectations?"

"Why do you insist on calling me Gracie Pooh?"

"Cause it's a cute name for a cute girl."

"Oh I see."

"How about I just call you Pooh?"

"If you must. Now to answer your question, I guess."

"Yeah that was the answer I was looking for," laughed AJ.

"What answer did you want?"

"How about. Oh AJ you far exceeded any expectations I had. You are now my favorite."

"Dream on," teased Grace.

"Oww that hurt."

"Poor baby. No you guys have been really nice. I'm still stunned."

"Why are you stunned?"

"I'm not use to this."

"It's no big deal."

"Not to you. This is your life, but it isn't mine. My life consists going to school, coming home, dealing with my parents, and hanging out with my friends, playing with my dog and fighting with my sister. You know the stuff most kids my age do. You live a very different life and I'm just visiting. I don't belong here."

"Sure you do."

"How do you figure?"

"See you are now a friend. This means that you can come hang with us whenever you want. You fit in better than most kids your age. You don't completely freak when you are around us. So you're cool."

"Well thanks."

"Anytime. Now my lady, shall we head back to the hotel?"

"Sure. Thanks for breakfast AJ."

"Anytime Pooh."